Sex, politics and science fiction

Authors and guests invited to book fair run gamut

Authors and guests invited to book fair run gamut

November 02, 2006|by TIFFANY ARNOLD

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. - Organizers of the West Virginia Book Faire at Olde Towne Martinsburg this weekend said they hope a "juicy" author lineup and workshops will attract out-of-state tourists and encourage more people to read.

"There's something there for everybody," said organizer Bill Lucht. "It will certainly be something to get people excited about reading."

The event, on Friday and Saturday at locations throughout Martinsburg - FYI: "Olde Towne" refers to downtown Martinsburg - will feature 47 writers, including John Dean, who was the counsel to President Nixon, was involved in the Watergate scandal and later testified for the prosecution - implicating Nixon.

Dean who has authored "Conservatives Without Conscience," released in July, and six other books, will speak at noon Saturday at Blue Ridge Community and Technical College at 400 W. Stephen St.

Other speakers include Episcopal priest Paul Bresnahan, who wrote "Everything You Need to Know About Sex in Order to Get to Heaven," and West Virginia-native Homer Hickam, author of "Rocket Boys," on which the movie "October Sky" is based.

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Other invited guests include Jeannette Walls, author of "The Glass Castle"; "Star Trek: The Next Generation" actress Natalia Nogulich; and something different - Faith, a two-legged dog who walks like a person.

The book fair is a spinoff of last year's Apple Valley Book Festival, an event that featured 80 authors and drew 1,300 attendees, said Andrea Ball, executive director of the Martinsburg-Berkeley County Convention and Visitors Bureau, the group that organized both events.

But unlike the Apple Valley Book Festival, the West Virginia Book Faire's crammed two-day schedule will include meet-and-greet discussions with authors and workshops for aspiring writers, Ball said. Also, most of the events are free.

Bresnahan, who has two gay sons, said he hopes to discuss his book, which aims to show that the Bible advocates inclusion and does not condemn homosexuality.

"Sex is really kind of funny, though it might be kind of incongruous with a priest talking about this, but I think it's time to lighten up," said Bresnahan, of St. Mark's Episcopal Church in St. Albans, W.Va. "I agree that the biblical order is right - establishing a faithful relationship. What the Bible condemns is promiscuity."

Partial schedule of events

For the full schedule and information about other authors, visit WVBooks.org.

Friday, Nov. 3

· 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. - Meet Jeannette Walls, author of "The Glass Castle." Blue Ridge Community and Technical College Atrium, 400 W. Stephen St. This is followed by a book signing from 12:45 to 1:15 p.m. at the Shenandoah Hotel, 100 W. Martin St., Martinsburg.

· 2 to 2:45 p.m. - Book discussion group with Paul Bresnahan, "Everything You Need to Know About Sex in Order to Get to Heaven." Blue Ridge Community and Technical College. This is followed by a book signing from 2:45 to 3:15 p.m. at the Shenandoah Hotel.

Saturday, Nov. 4

· Noon to 1 p.m. - Brown-bag lunch with speaker John Dean, author of "Conservatives Without Conscience." Blue Ridge Community and Technical College Atrium. A book signing will follow from 1:15 to 2 p.m. at the Shenandoah Hotel.

· 3:30 to 4 p.m. - Book signing with Homer Hickam, author of "Rocket Boys." Shenandoah Hotel. Hickam is a featured guest of the Literacy Dinner at 6 p.m. at the Holiday Inn on King Street. Advance tickets are required.

If you go ...

WHAT: West Virginia Book Faire at Olde Towne Martinsburg

WHEN: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 3, and Saturday, Nov. 4

WHERE: Events will be held throughout Martinsburg, W. Va. Registration is at the Shenandoah Hotel, 100 W. Martin St. Go to WVBooks.org for more details.

COST: Most events are free, though registration is recommended and includes a map. Tickets for a Literacy Dinner 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4, cost $50 per person and can be purchased in advance through the Martinsburg-Berkeley County Convention and Visitors Bureau, 304-264-8801.